Charlie and Ben continued to exchange stunned looks with each other.
"You two know each other?" Josiah questioned.
"Yeah… Unfortunately," Charlie replied.
Ben tried his best to show that Charlie's words didn't hurt, but he was failing miserably. He stood up and reached his hand out to shake Charlie's. "You look well."
Charlie couldn't hold back his feelings anymore. He balled up his fist and punched Ben square in the face with all his might.
Ben fell onto the floor, clenching his face.
Josiah's jaw dropped at the scene he just witnessed. "Ch-Charlie! What are you doing?!"
The adrenaline in Charlie began to die down. He looked back and forth between Ben, who was still on the ground, and Josiah, who just saw a side of Charlie he'd never seen before.
"I.." Charlie started. He then quickly turned around to leave the restaurant.
"Charlie!" Josiah called out. He quickly helps Ben up before chasing after him.
Charlie slammed his car door and tried to start the car, but his hand was still shaking so violently that the key kept missing the ignition.
Josiah catches up and repeatedly knocks on the car window. "Charlie, talk to me please!"
Charlie leans back in his chair and starts to do some breathing exercises.
Josiah opens the door and leans in. He worriedly studies Charlie as Charlie continued to try to study his breathing.
"Charlie, what's going on? What happened in there?"
Charlie looked over at Josiah and furiously shook his head. "I can't work on this story," he said with a shaken voice.
"What!? But Charlie, you're my number one editor! I need you to get this story to succeed!"
He continued to shake his head as he lightly pushed Josiah out of the way so he could close the door. He was finally calm enough to start the car. He rolled down the window and looked at Josiah. "I'll find you another editor that I believe is just as good as me. I promise."
"What?" Josiah groaned. "I don't want that though! I want you!"
"I'm sorry. I'll call you." Charlie rolled up the window and drove off. He looked back in the rearview mirror and saw Josiah still standing there with a confused but hurt look on his face.
Charlie stayed silent the rest of his drive home. When he arrives home, he drops everything at the entrance and runs up the stairs to take a shower to calm himself down from the events that just happened.
As the cold water was rushing down his body he constantly cringed as the thought of how he thought a story, a story written about his own trauma, was excellently written. A story written by Ben Fucking Hope of all fucking people. His worst mistake.
Constant flashbacks of his interactions with Ben began to play in his mind. From their abysmal secret relationship to the day of his assault.
Charlie cuts off the water and stares at himself intensely in the mirror after he got out. He suddenly startled at the knock at the bathroom door.
"Char, are you okay?" It was Nick.
Charlie opens the door. "Hey."
"Hey," Nick said back as he looked over Charlie. He then gasped. "Charlie, your hand!"
Charlie quickly looked at his hand. A reddish-purple bruise covered his knuckle with a small gash between his middle and ring finger. How he didn't notice it before was a mystery to him.
Nick took his hand and began to study it. He ran his thumb across it and Charlie slightly winced at the pain.
Nick wanted to ask questions, but it was the least of his concern. He looks back at Charlie. "Get dressed. I'm taking you to the doctor."
Charlie sat on the table as the doctor meticulously wrapped his hand.
The doctor then wrote a prescription note and handed it to Charlie. "It's for pain killers. Refrain from doing to many activities with that hand."
Nick and Charlie say thank you before the doctor leaves the room.
Nick took Charlie's injured hand and began to run his thumb repeatedly over his knuckles.
"I'm sorry for worrying you."
"You don't need to apologize for getting hurt, honey," Nick asked as he continued to study his hand and rub his knuckle. He finally looked up at his husband. "Charlie, what happened today?"
Charlie did a deep sigh before he turned to face Nick. "I…saw Ben today."
"WHAT!?" Nick yelped. "Ben? As in Ben Hope?"
Charlie nodded. "That story I've been reading. It's his. That poor character… Is me. I was in shock to see him at the restaurant." Charlie looks back down at the floor. "He tried to be friendly with me. I couldn't take it… and out of nowhere, I just punched him in his face."
A small chuckle escaped Nick's lips.
Charlie looked back over at Nick trying to contain the smile that was forming from hearing his laugh. "Don't laugh."
Nick took Charlie's other hand. "I'm sorry, but it's rare when you act like that. He really set you off, didn't he?"
Charlie gripped tightly on Nick's hands, wincing at the pain that was ringing in his. "I can't do this story."
"And that's okay, Charlie. You shouldn't have to force yourself to work with someone who's harmed you. Especially someone like Ben."
"But Josiah─"
"Man, fuck Josiah!"
Charlie's jaw dropped at Nick.
"I know, he's your boss or whatever, but you're telling me he's such a tight ass that he won't be able to understand that you can't work with Ben?"
"I mean… he's no Ruben, but you'll be surprised on how lenient he is with me. He was a bit upset today when I told him I couldn't work on the story, but I think he'll understand eventually."
Nick smiled. He pulled Charlie off the table by his waist. "Let's get takeout, yeah? I'll spoon feed you to make it romantic."
Charlie was fast asleep as he laid his head on Nick's chest. One arm wrapped around his frame while the other one with the injured hand rested on his stomach. Nick scrolled on his phone as he twisted Charlie's hair around his fingers.
As he continued to scroll through his social media, Nick's phone suddenly began to vibrate. He looked at the top and saw that his dad was calling. He automatically knew what the call was about. He lets out a small groan before answering the phone.
"Hello, dad," Nick said, trying his best to keep his voice at a whisper to not wake Charlie.
"Nicholas. How are you?"
"I'm alright, I guess."
Nick could hear his father shuffle around for a bit before he continued. "Is something wrong? Why are you calling me so late?"
"What's this I hear about you having a baby?" St éphane said. "Why'd I have to hear the news from your mother?"
Nick stayed silent, unsure of what to say.
"And you even had an announcement dinner. Why wasn't I invited?"
"It's not like you would've came anyway," Nick said with disappointment in his voice. "You tend to miss a lot of things."
Stéphane scoffed at Nick's remark. "I know I miss out on things here and there, but it's still no excuse to not tell me that I'm expecting my first grandchild. I'm happy for you. Your little sister is also excited that she is becoming an aunt," Stéphane laughed. "She hasn't stopped talking about it since I've told her. She wants it to be a girl. I'm team ten fingers and toes."
Nick can hear him get up from his seat and begin to pour himself a drink.
"Have you even told David?"
Nick stayed silent again.
"Nick…" Stéphane disappointedly sighed. "Are you trying to cut us off or something?"
"No… but you know I don't speak to David."
"You're still upset about what he said on your wedding day? I thought you guys would have nipped it in the bud by now."
"The words he said that day were beyond disrespectful, dad. I could handle it if he had only came at me, I'm used to taking his abuse, but what he said about Charlie was uncalled for."
"I know what you mean. I'm not saying you're wrong, but David is your brother─"
"I don't care," Nick said quickly. "I need to be able to protect me and my husband's peace and if that means erasing David from my life, so be it." He began to hold Charlie tighter.
Stéphane began to stumble on his words. Unable to counter Nick's argument and knew whatever he said wasn't going to change his mind. He cleared his throat. "Is it still okay to tell him about the news?"
"It's whatever. Mum still talks to him, so I'm pretty sure that he already knows."
Stéphane stirred his drink around and took a sip before responding. "Well, congratulations on the baby! I wish you and Charlie the best of luck."
"Thanks…"
Stéphane was preparing to say something else, but ultimately decided against it. "Have a good night."
Nick doesn't say it back and just hangs up. He puts his phone down and wraps his arms around Charlie. He tries to fall asleep, but his mind begins to play the scene from his wedding day.
Stéphane tightened Nick's tie. "You look so handsome. Charlie's a lucky man."
Nick smiled. "Thanks dad." He looks in the full body mirror and begins to mess with his hair a bit. "You don't think I look weird?"
Stéphane laughed. He put both of his hands on Nick's shoulder and faces him towards him. "You look fine!" he reassured him. "Your grandfather wants you to wear his cufflinks. It'll be your something old."
As Stéphane went over to the dresser to look for the cufflinks, the dressing room door violently swung open, leaving a dent in the wall.
Nick turned around and saw David tattered and out of breath. "What are you doing here? I was convinced you weren't going to show up."
David closed the door behind him and walked up to Nick. "You're not really going through with this are you?"
Nick got confused. "I don't understand."
"You're going to marry this guy?"
Nick's jaw dropped a bit as he continued to give David a confused look. "Please tell me you're joking. Of course, I'm marrying "that guy". "
Stéphane then began to walk over to his sons. "David, what is the meaning of all this?"
"You can't be serious. This dude just turns you out one day and you're okay with that?"
Nick rolls his eyes at David and turns back to his father. "Cuff me please?"
While Stéphane put on the links, Nick continued. "You ignored all my invites just to come on the day of my wedding to spout nonsense. Please leave."
David began to get red in the face. "You can't go through with this Nick! I know you!"
"HUH!?"
David continued. "You didn't show any signs of being gay till Charlie showed up! Don't you want to have a normal life? Don't you want kids?"
Nick rolled his eyes and turned back to the mirror to fix himself up again.
"David! I am sick and tired of this rage you have towards your brother's and Charlie's relationship! I will not allow you to ruin his special day with your ignorance! Now leave!" Stéphane commanded.
David scoffed. "You too, dad? Am I the only one who thinks it's odd that he chose to stay with the first guy that makes a move on him? If it was a girl, I bet this wedding would be different." He focused back on Nick. "I knew you were soft minded, but never in a million years would I think that you would allow a fag to groom you."
Nick froze.
Stéphane's heart dropped. "Leave, David… Now!"
"But dad ─" David starts, but quickly ducks when he sees a vase flying towards him. The vase shattered into multiple pieces behind him, leaving a medium size puddle and scattered daisies.
"Get out, David!" Nick shouted. "Get the fuck out before I kill you!"
"Nick!" Stéphane shouted.
David gives Nick a thousand-yard stare. "That almost hit me…" he said at a whisper.
Nick shrugged. "And what of it?"
David and Nick continued their stare off until Nick started. "I don't know why it's so hard for you to accept that I love Charlie and he loves me. I gave you so many chances to change or at least be civil with Charlie 'cause we're brothers, but now, it's very obvious that you'll always be the same."
David stayed silent, keeping the bewildered look on his face.
Nick felt tears wilting up. He turned around so David wouldn't see them. "Just leave, David. Go die for all I care."
David's heart dropped at his brother's words. He tries to say something else but stops when he sees his father raise his hand to shoosh him.
David's face goes hot with anger. "Whatever! Don't come to me when you realize that this was a big mistake!"
David then leaves, slamming the door behind him.
Stéphane walks up to Nick. "Are you okay?" he asked as he placed a gentle palm on his back.
Nick couldn't continue to hold back his tears anymore and he finally lets out all of his built up emotions. His cries were so loud that he practically shook the room.
Stéphane wrapped his arms around his son tightly so he could calm down before walking down the aisle.
Nick is woken up by Charlie smoothing his hair back continuously.
"Good morning," Charlie smiled.
Nick smirked before pulling in Charlie for a quick kiss. "Why are you awake so early?"
"Nick, it's a quarter till eleven."
Nick reached under his pillow to look at the time. "Hmm."
"Do you have work today?" Charlie asked, a bit worried.
"No. It's just unlike me to sleep for that long." Nick sits up and begins to rub the sand from his eyes.
"Whatever dream you had must've been that great," Charlie joked.
Nick changes the subject. "You're not going into the office today?"
Charlie shook his head. "I really don't have the energy to face Josiah's wrath today."
Nick props up his knee and lays his head on it. "You must be a damn good editor the way you continuously take these days off."
Charlie just shrugs. "Our relationship is weird. I'll deal with him on Monday."
Charlie tries to get out of bed, but Nick pulls him back in and pulls the covers over both of them. He bearhugs Charlie and buries his face in his neck.
Charlie couldn't help but chuckle. "What is it, you big baby?"
Nick lifts his face from his neck and kisses him again. When he pulls away, he asks, "Let's go shop for Loki today. Maybe we can do other things too."
Charlie did a sigh while keeping a smile on his face. "I keep forgetting that we're having twins, and it has been a while since it's just been the two of us. Maybe we can even decorate the spare room a bit today."
Nick lifts the covers off of both of them. When he gets out of bed, he tries to pull Charlie to come with him. "Come shower with me."
Charlie smirks. He pushed himself to his knees and wrapped his arms around Nick's neck. "You're excited this morning. What's gotten into you?"
Before Nick could respond, Charlie starts kissing him and begins to run his hand through his hair.
Nick grips Charlie by the waist and pulls him closer to him, deepening the kiss.
As their make-out session gets hotter and hotter, Charlie's phone rings.
"Char, your phone," Nick says in between kisses.
"Ignore it."
They continued, but Charlie's phone rings again.
Charlie lets out a groan. He picks up his phone and sees it's Josiah calling. Charlie continues to look at the caller ID until his phone cuts off.
"Maybe that talk's coming sooner than later," Nick commented.
"But I want to be with you today!" Charlie whined.
"I know honey. But─"
Charlie's phone starts up again.
Charlie throws his head back in annoyance and finally answers the phone. "What Josiah!?"
"We need to talk."
Charlie sighed. "I'll come in on Mon─"
"No," Josiah said sternly. "Come to the office. Now."
"But I─"
Josiah then hangs up his phone before Charlie finishes.
"Fuuuuuuuck," Charlie said in a harsh whisper.
Charlie walked into the empty, dark office space. He found the place ominous when no one was there. He continued to walk through it and followed the sunlight that was coming through Josiah's office.
Charlie lightly pushes the door open and sees Josiah sitting at his desk sipping a cup of coffee while he looks at something on the computer.
Josiah continued to scroll as Charlie stood quietly and looked at him.
"You broke his nose, you know?" Josiah started.
"Oh…" was all Charlie could muster up to say as he tried to contain his smirk.
Josiah finally sat his coffee down and looked at Charlie. "What's the history between you and Ben? There's no way it's that bad."
Charlie took a deep breath as he tightly crossed his arms. "I'm pretty sure you already have an understanding of our history."
Josiah raised an eyebrow.
"Christian is me."
Josiah's eyes slightly widened.
"Ben and I were in a very toxic relationship as you can see from the story. I know you only see the first few chapters, but the story is eventually going to get to the point when he assaults me. I mean, that if he stays truthful to the story line. He thought I outed him and went crazy."
Josiah saw how Charlie began to get visibly uncomfortable. "Stop it, Charlie." He does a rough sigh as he stands up and looks outside the biggest window in the room with his arms behind his back.
"So… you understand why I can't do this story, right?" Charlie asked.
Josiah stays silent.
"I honestly think you should let him go to a different publishing company─"
"I'm not doing that," Josiah said quickly, still facing out the window.
Charlie was taken aback. "Um… okay. I promise you I'll find an editor─"
"I don't want that."
Charlie was stunned. "What?"
Josiah finally turned around. "Charlie, every book I work on with you ends up being a best seller. I need someone who remembers every detail, fact checks, and even as descriptive as you."
"I know, Josiah," Charlie started, "But you have to understand that I can't work with someone that has traumatized me. He's one of the reasons I was in therapy for so long, ya' know?"
Josiah started to get visibly frustrated. "No! I don't know!" Josiah began to walk towards Charlie. "Charlie, I know this story is about you and him, but the story is just too perfect to pass up and I won't let this little secondary drama you have with him get in the way of it succeeding."
It was Charlie's turn to now walk up to him. "Secondary drama? Josiah, he attacked me!"
"Years ago!" Josiah shouted back. "We all go through shit, Charlie and we as people move pass it! Get over it!"
Charlie gasped at what Josiah said.
"And besides, people change, Charlie."
"I don't care if he's changed Josiah. I don't owe him forgiveness."
"Listen─"
"No!"
Josiah and Charlie looked at each other, mirroring the same pissed off expression.
"You're crazy if you think I'm going to put everything he's done to me behind me all because he knows how to do something that thousands of others can do!"
Josiah stays silent, still having the same angry expression.
Charlie steps closer to him. "Fuck you, Josiah…" Charlie said in a harsh whisper.
Josiah gave him a stunned look.
"FUCK! YOU!" Charlie repeats as he presses his pointer finger in Josiah's chest with each word.
Josiah begins to try to say something else but before he can do it, Charlie slams the door open and storms out.
Tori stands at her side and looks at her stomach in the mirror. Her stomach isn't huge, but she now carries a tiny noticeable bump.
Michael comes into frame of the mirror wraps his arms around her, using one hand to rub her stomach. "You're finally showing. That's excellent."
"I'm gonna look like a fucking cow…" Tori groaned.
"Tori! Don't talk about yourself like that! You're growing life in you, remember that." Michael rubbed her stomach some more. "Wow, you're growing people with your body Tori… LIKE AN ALIEN!"
Tori rolled her eyes. "Don't you have somewhere to be?"
"Oh yeah!" Michael went to a random corner of their room, and he picked up his duffle bag.
"I was joking."
Michael chuckled at Tori. "I'm going to go practice with the guys. The Olympics is right around the corner ya' know?"
"But that's like next year and we're almost near July. Wouldn't it make sense to practice when it's freezing cold?" Tori asked.
"Tori, we live in England. It's always freezing cold." Michael smiled. "And there's still places to practice. I can't get lazy."
Tori picked up her towel and tossed it over her shoulder. "When will you be back?"
Michael shrugged.
Tori scrunched her face in irritation.
Michael couldn't help but laugh at Tori's expression. "Aww! You miss me already, baby?"
Tori couldn't help but blush, but also cringe at Michael's words. "Piss off, Holden!" She shoves past him. "Hope you sprain your ankles and break your coccyx!"
Michael pretended to be offended as he placed a hand on his chest and scoffed. "I'll come back by seven, if it'll make you feel better."
"Piss off!"
Michael laughed again. He walks in the living room and picks up his keys off the coffee table. He gets to his car and tosses his bag in the back. He then stopped and thought for a second.
"Crap, my skates," he mumbled.
He racks his brain around as he walks back to the flat as he tries to remember the last place he sat them. He goes to their bedroom first and looks under the bed, then he checks the closet. He quickly scans the living room.
"Hmm…" Michael hummed. He finally remembers that the last time he had them was when he and Tori had dinner and took a brisk walk to the kitchen. A smile quickly appears on his face when he sees his skates resting on the chair he was sitting in that night. He halls them by their laces and makes his way to the door.
"I'll be a couple minutes late but hopefully the boys aren't mad at me."
As soon as Michael places his hand on the doorknob, a sharp shriek comes from the bathroom.
Michael quickly whips his head around. "TORI?!" he calls out.
He drops his skates at the door and runs to the bathroom. He barges in and throws the curtains to the side.
Tori was crouched down on the tub floor shaking.
Michael turned off the water and grabbed Tori's towel to wrap around her. "Tori what happened?" He is quickly met with an answer when he notices a faint stain of blood on the tub floor. His heart practically began to beat out his chest.
"I failed them… I failed them…" Tori repeatedly said in a whisper as she began to rock back and forth.
"Tori, we gotta get to the hospital to get you checked out. Can you stand?" Michael asked in a worried voice.
Tori continues to repeat "I failed them" over and over.
Michael scooped up Tori in her towel and walked them to the room. He sits her on their bed and begins to quickly find her something to wear. He puts her in one of his jumpers and some sweatpants. He laces up her shoes and stands her up. "Can you walk?"
Tori stays silent.
Michael tightened his lips together and studied her with great concern. "Everything will be okay. Promise."
Tori sat on the table, still shaken with fear. Her hands clamped so tightly together that they were practically turning white.
Michael enters the room with two drinks in his hands. He tries to hand Tori the cup of tea. "I made sure to not make it too sweet."
Tori continued to stare at her hands in her lap.
Michael sat the drinks down and wrapped his arms around Tori, making sure the hug was tight. Tori nuzzled her face into his chest and finally wrapped her arms around him.
A few moments pass by before Tori finally speaks up. "I'm sorry I ruined your practice day."
Michael snorted. He pulls away enough to not break their hug and looked down at her. "One day won't kill me."
The door then swings open as the OBGYN walks in. She shoots them a quick hello before sitting down at the computer.
"Okay, so good news. It looks like the babies are okay," she reassured them.
Tori lets out a huge sigh of relief. "So, what was that?"
"It looks like it was just some spotting, which is rare, but happens to many pregnant women, but I'll also like to run a few more test before I clear you." The OBGYN then picks up her clipboard. "I just wanted to ask quickly… Does infertility or miscarriages run in your family by chance?"
Tori shook her head. "Not that I know off."
The OBGYN nodded at scribbled something quickly on her clipboard then got up. "Cancer maybe?"
Tori shook her head again.
The OBGYN scribbles something else. She continues to ask more questions before clicking her pen and placing her clipboard down. "Lay flat for me."
Tori lays flat on the table. The OBGYN then begins to press around her pelvis area. "No pain?"
"No."
She writes something else. "I think I'll do some blood test as well just so I'm one hundred percent sure everything's okay."
Tori and Michael tell her thank you as she leaves.
"You hear that, Tori? They're okay!" Michael said happily.
Tori smiled at him.
"Man… How are we gonna report this to Nick and Charlie? I just know they're going to freak."
Tori quickly jolted. Her mum's words ring in her ears from the day of their last conversation. 'Think of that baby that's inside you, before you do something that sends Charlie off edge.' "WE'RE NOT TELLING THEM ANYTHING!" she cried out.
Michael jumped at the base in her voice. His eyes then widened at her when he registered what she just said. "What!? Tori, you can't be serious!"
"I am! The last thing I need is for Charlie to flip out about this!"
"Look, I know the doctor is saying everything is okay right now, but what if something else happens down the line? Then what?" Michael asked firmly, furrowing his eyebrows. "You just gonna lie to them? Act like it's a surprise?"
Tori stayed silent and narrowed her eyes at Michael.
Michael does a sharp inhale. "We need to tell them."
"No!"
"Then I'll tell them!" Michael said. He began to dig in his pocket for his phone.
"No!" Tori shouted again. She wraps her arms around his arm that was searching for the phone. "Please don't!"
"Tori─"
"It was already so hard to convince Charlie to let me be his surrogate. If he hears about this, it's going to drive him mad." Tori tightened her grip on Michael's arm more. "Don't… Please?"
Michael begrudgingly sighed. "Fine. Keeping a secret like this feels icky though."
"The doctor seems sure that I'll be okay." Tori said. "I'll just make sure to rest more and do lighter activities."
"Add stress to your list too," Michael said.
Tori raised an eyebrow at him.
"Just a few weeks ago you were losing your mind over Oliver keeping a little secret from you. Listen, I love how family oriented you are, but sometimes you need to be selfish."
Tori hummed for a bit. "You're not wrong…"
The OBGYN comes back. "Sorry. It looks like our lab tech had to leave early for a family emergency. But it looks like you and the babies are okay, so I'm going to discharge you." She hands Tori a piece of paper. "But, please come in on this date so we can do a lab. We can never be too sure."
Tori nodded as she took the paperwork from her hand.
They silently walk to Michael's car. Tori wrapped Michael's jumper tightly around her as a cold breeze hurled in.
As they strapped in, Michael looked over at Tori. "Are you sure about this? Keeping this incident a secret, I mean."
Tori turns away from Michael and looks at the grey sky above. She lightly rested her hands on her stomach. "Yes."
Nick walks into the house and turns the corner into the living room. He stops in his tracks when he sees Charlie on the couch looking at paint color decks. "What are you doing here?"
"I live here, moron," Charlie joked.
"You know that's not what I mean smart ass," Nick grinned as he walked up to Charlie. He leaned over and kissed Charlie on his forehead. "I thought you were going in today?" He questioned.
Charlie stayed silent and continued to look at the colors. A light-yellow catches his eyes and he pulls out the card to show Nick. "We should paint the babies' room this color."
Nick raises an eyebrow at Charlie. He allows him to dodge the question and takes the card from his hand to study it. "I wanted something on the light blue side. Maybe even a soft green?"
"Hmm…" Charlie hummed. "I'll keep them in mind."
Nick then drops down beside him and tries to get back on the topic of Josiah. "This fight must've been intense this time since you haven't gone back to the office. You usually love working at the office with your coworkers."
Charlie's frown deepened. "And the interns that were studying under me. They're like my children."
Days have passed since Charlie's conversation with Josiah and Charlie hasn't made his way into the office since. Nick knew that the duo always argued, but despite that, they worked well with each other when it came time to publish a book, so he found it surprising that this time Charlie seemed to be working remotely more than usual.
"He doesn't want to drop Ben's story," Charlie said disappointedly as he continued to look at the paint cards. "He still wants me to work on it, too."
"Are you going to?" Nick asked, a bit concerned.
"Absolutely not. I told him I'll find him someone on the day of our conversation again. I know plenty of interns who work just as good as me, some of them need the big break, but Josiah's just so stubborn. He wants it to be me and only me." Charlie sunk into the couch. "I told him everything about Ben and I…" Charlie trails off. "He just dismissed me. Told me to get over it."
Nick's eyebrows shot up. "He's really willing to ruin the relationship you have all for the sake of Ben's story?"
Charlie shrugged. "It's that important to him, I guess. But I won't lie and say that his attitude that day didn't hurt. Out of all people to hear that from, Josiah?" He said bewildered. He then sprawled out across Nick's lap. "What to do? What to do? I can't just work from home forever. I'll go mad."
Nick started to smooth back Charlie's hair. "Why don't you just do it?"
Charlie shot Nick a look. "Didn't you hear what I just said?"
"I did. But hear me out, for a sec?"
Charlie raised an eyebrow and was all ears to whatever Nick was going to say.
"I say you do the story. Make your money off Ben's writing since Josiah's so sure it's going to be a success."
"Okay?" Charlie said skeptically. "Then what?"
Nick leaned into Charlie's face a bit more. "Quit."
Julio sat the dishes he was harboring in his study in the sink. He looked out of the window and saw Jane tending to the garden. He grabs two bottles from the fridge and walks out to her.
Jane had a hundred percent of her concentration on the garden that she didn't even realize Julio coming from behind her. She jolted as he pressed the cold-water bottle on her cheek to get her attention.
"Julio! Don't startle me like that!" Jane yelped as she took the water bottle.
Julio chuckled at her. "You seem lost in thought a lot more these days." He squats next to her. "Is everything okay?"
Jane stayed silent for a bit, then shrugged as she went back to the garden. "I guess I've just had a lot on my mind. With the kids and all."
Julio then snatched up both of Jane's hands and stood them both up. "Let's do something today."
"Like what?" Jane asked with a bit of confusion in her voice.
He hummed for a bit as he rocked front to back. "Let's cook something together. There's a dish I've been dying to make with you for a while."
"Really? Why haven't you said anything?"
Julio laughed for a bit. "Promise not to laugh?"
Jane raised an eyebrow.
"I was very upset that you ditched me at the dinner party, so I've been keeping this recipe a secret for weeks."
Jane gave him a stunned look. "Really?"
"Really."
She continued to look at him with the same expression before she let out a very loud and queasy laugh.
"Hey now! I told you not to laugh!" Julio said as he laughed at Jane's laugh.
When she was able to calm down a bit, she let go of his hands and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face deep in his chest. "I'm sorry."
Julio then wrapped his arms around her. "It's fine. I'm over it now."
Jane looked up at him. "No. It's not fine. I've been horrible to you." She began to squeeze on the back of his shirt. "Julio, there's so much we have to speak about."
Julio gave her a small smile. "There is." He grabbed hold of her hands again and started to lead her from the garden. "But let's buy the last few things we need for the dish. Let's walk and talk?"
"Walk to the store?" Jane scoffed.
The store wasn't that far, but with walking, it'll take twenty minutes to walk there and twenty minutes to get back.
"You act like it's far!" Julio said. "Come on. It'll be like old times when we had that car that always broke down on us."
Jane was hesitant for a bit, then rolled her eyes. "Oh, what the hell?" she mumbled to herself. She squeezed tightly on to his hand as he continued to lead the way.
"Thyme! We need thyme!" Julio said as he looked at the recipe on his phone.
"Hold our place. I'll go get it quick," Jane said.
She steps out of the queue and does a light jog to the spices section. She does a quick scan for it and sees it on the top shelf. A sigh of relief escapes her lips, and she begins to reach for it.
"Jane?" a voice questioned.
Jane freezes. She turns to the direction of where the voice was coming from and her heart drops when she sees a young man with a skinny frame, brownish-blond hair and blue eyes. "Lionel?"
"It's really you. It's been ages," he said. He begins to walk up to her, but Jane backs away. Hurt washed over his body when he noticed this. "You've been ignoring me. I've been trying to call you for weeks."
"Lionel. I'm sorry, but I can't see you anymore."
Lionel's heart dropped. "But… but why?"
"What do you mean why?" Jane asked, a bit agitated. "My son saw us in bed with each other. It's put strain on our relationship."
"Have you told him nothing happened?"
"Oh, like it matters?" Jane said. "Listen, I can't be seen around you anymore. Whatever we had… this thing… it has to stop."
"But I don't want it to stop!" Lionel shouted.
"Keep your voice down, please, Lionel," Jane asked in a harsh whisper.
"I want to keep seeing you, Jane. I like you very much."
Jane furrowed her eyebrows at him and shook her head. "I'm sorry. My son told his brother and he's put me on a time limit to come clean to my husband. They see me around you, they'll tell him immediately."
"Let them."
"What!?" It was Jane's turn to raise her voice a bit. "Lionel, I have my family to think about."
"But what about you, Jane? You're not happy."
"Yes, I am," Jane said as she tried her best to sound convincing enough to Lionel. "I love my husband."
"But Jane ─"
"Dear?"
Lionel looks up and Jane turned around to see Julio walking towards them.
"There you are," Julio smiled as he walked up to them. "I thought you got lost." He snaked an arm around Jane's waist, and he then looked at Lionel. "Who's this?"
Jane looked back at Lionel. "Oh! Um… this is Lionel. Remember when I told you a joined an online group about gardening? Lionel is part of it," Jane said. At least her answer had some truth to it.
"Oh wow! I didn't know young people were into gardening. I thought she'd be talking to people our age," Julio laughed. "What are you growing?"
"Um…" It was as if Lionel's brain short-circuited when he saw Julio and he stammered more seeing his arm around Jane. He finally found his words. "You know, the basics. Tomato, potatoes, peppers, some flowers," he fake chuckled. "Janes really got a green thumb."
"Yeah, that's Jane for you," Julio said as he looked at Jane. He then leaned over and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
Lionel forced a smile as his heart dropped to his stomach.
Jane couldn't help but blush. "Honey, you're embarrassing me."
"Come on, lets go home," Julio said. "I already paid for everything."
"The thyme ─"
"Got that too. You always get the same brand and size anyway. McCormick, small. Right?"
Jane scoffed. "No way I've become that predictable."
"Yeah, years together does that to you."
Lionel stood silently and studied the couple. It was taking a lot of power out of him to not go crazy at the scene he was witnessing. He wanted to rip Jane from Julio's arms and declare his love for her right there in the seasoning aisle and tell him everything, but instead, he let the scene play out as he held himself back.
Julio and Jane turn and begin to walk away. His arm still around Jane's waist.
Julio then turned back to Lionel. "Good luck with your garden!" he called out before turning back.
Lionel continued to stare at them as they exited the store. He began to shake as he held his tears back as he processed what had happened just now. He put the item that he had in his hand on a random shelf and rushed to his car.
"Pencils down! Pencils down!" called out the professor from the front of the room. "Pass up those tests!"
Oliver let out a great sigh of relief. Finally, the semester was over, and break was only minutes away.
Oliver turned his chair around to talk with his group of friends. "Any plans for the break?"
"Yeah. Sleep!" commented his friend, Nikola.
Oliver snorted. "Those aren't plans!"
"Tuh! To you!"
"I'm heading back to the states," said Darius. "Finally, I get to eat some real food," he sighed dreamily.
"We have "real food" here," commented another friend, Ramses.
Darius looked at Ramses in disbelief. "Canned beans on bread is not real food. You people will not gas light me into thinking it is," he said as he continuously pointed his finger into his palm.
As the boys got into a heated debate about what is and isn't real food, Oliver couldn't help but look over at Delphi who was sat in the front row and facing forward.
She turned around to retrieve something from her backpack when her eyes met with Oliver's. Oliver smiled and waved at her, but Delphi kept a stern look on her face as she got her phone and turned back.
He let out a sigh of frustration as he continued to study her back.
Nikola rested his chin on Oliver's shoulder. "Go talk to her mate."
"I can't," he shook his head. "She completely hates me."
"Oh, come on man. She doesn't hate you," Darius said as he tried to find his next words, "She just really can't stand you right now?"
"Isn't that what hating someone is?" Ramses questioned.
"Really Ramses?" Darius and Nikola said in unison.
"No guys, it's okay," Oliver said. "But I miss her, ya' know?"
The boys exchange looks with each other. Then suddenly, Ramses gasped.
"What is it?" Oliver asked.
"Invite her to the movie night I'm having!" Ramses said. "Delphi never turns down a movie night. She probably won't speak to you still, but I just know she'll come. Maybe you guys can reconcile there."
Oliver pressed his lips together and looked back at Delphi.
"Go on. You can do it," Ramses said encouragingly.
Oliver does a gulp before he stands up, but when he does, the rest of the class does so also.
"Enjoy your break!" The professor calls out to everyone.
Oliver begins to panic a bit as he starts his way down the stairs and repeatedly saying 'excuse me. Pardon me,' as he forced his way pass students to get to Delphi, who was already out the lecture hall door.
When he's finally out he looks left and right for Delphi. He then sees her bright pink backpack turning the corner. Oliver chases after her again, trying his best to catch up.
Oliver finally catches up to her as Delphi stopped to talk to someone. He stops running at full speed and does a light jog. "Delphi?" he called out as he got closer.
Delphi turns around. Frustration and anger washes over her when she sees Oliver. "What is it, Spring?"
Oliver winces at the harshness in her voice, but at least she was talking to him instead of flat out ignoring him.
"Ramses is throwing a movie night and was wondering…" Oliver trailed off as he got closer and noticed the second guy Delphi was talking to. Anger arose in Oliver as he pushed the person away from Delphi.
"Oliver!" Delphi stepped in front of Oliver, "What the hell is your issue?"
"What the hell is he doing here!?"
Author's Notes: Hey guys! I just wanted to say thank you for all the views, likes and comments you've been leaving on my story! I really appreciate all the interactions across all the platforms I've been posting on. As some of you guys who follow the story closely may notice that I usually update once a month, but I missed last month. I am in my last year of school, so now a majority of my focus is on that and also work. That means, unfortunately, that the story will update slower than usual. I PROMISE I WILL NOT DISAPEAR AND LEAVE THIS STORY UNFINISHED! I really enjoy writing this fic so far and want to give you guys the finished story you all deserve. I'll still be writing when I have free time and hope to update soon. Thank you again! ❤️